The Mark Bradford Project connects MacArthur Fellow and contemporary artist Mark Bradford with different Chicago communities to interact around the theme of the creative process. Over the course of a year, Bradford serves as a catalyst for community engagement projects and ongoing discussions, including connecting Bradford with Lindblom Math and Science Academy, as well as teenagers in Chicago Public Library’s YOUMedia program. The theme of mapping, which Bradford explores in many of his paintings, serves as a unifying thread for both projects.

Building upon the MCA’s long history of working with artists and exemplifying the artist-activated, audience-engaged MCA vision, this yearlong creative residency is offered in conjunction with our May 2011 presentation of Bradford’s major solo exhibition organized by the Wexner Center.